From eating out in a restaurant to buying a new article of clothing in a store, consumers expect a seamless point-of-sale experience both in the physical and digital world. But for the independent retailers and restaurants that bring character and unique shopping and dining opportunities to local neighbourhoods, investing in omnichannel solutions has traditionally meant a significant financial commitment.

Montreal-based company Lightspeed is on a global mission to level the playing field for independent businesses. Since 2005, Lightspeed brings innovative technologies to 50,000-plus retailers and restaurateurs around the world. Spearheading initiatives like mobile checkout, self-order menu and omnichannel, the SAAS company equips its customers with a comprehensive cloud-based platform. Most recently, the company launched Lightspeed Analytics, an intuitive tool that allows independent retailers access to the kind of data and reporting previously only available to big box stores.

“Retail is evolving, and we help our customers be part of that evolution regardless of their size,” said Bradley Grill, Lightspeed’s Director of PR. “Our solutions help retailers and restaurateurs make smarter decisions, streamline customer interactions, and boost their revenue. Customers that use our cloud-based POS software typically see a 20% increase in sales in their first year on our platform.”